Melody's Muse ✓

10. Mozart - Piano Sonata, No. 16.

Melody

Since I started my break, I've discovered how amazing living life at a normal pace feels. I used to always have somewhere to be, or something to do. It's been nearly three weeks and it's probably the most relaxed I've ever been. Now, I can take my sweet, sweet time.

Don't get me wrong, I still have to practice day and night. But at the very least, I can work at a slower pace. Mom probably wouldn't be too enthused if she knew. Luckily, she doesn't.

I haven't been ignoring her emails and texts per se, I've just been... forgetting to reply.

I've started this new thing. After I shower, I'll usually come back into my room and sit on my bed, still in my towel. I like to just lay there half naked and zone out, doing absolutely nothing productive. It's therapeutic somehow.

As I'm about to finally get dressed, my phone starts ringing.

"Hi Cole."

"Hey Mel, I was uh...uh," he stammers a bit. It's a little odd, hearing him being the uncertain, strung out one for once. "I was uh...wondering if you wanted to hang out."

I feel a tiny flutter in my chest. "Oh, what did you have in mind?"

"Do you want to grab lunch? There's this small café just off campus, it's a nice place."

"Sounds good."

I end up having to meet Cole there even though he offered to pick me up. Mr. Carter insisted that he's contractually obligated to escort me, which includes being cautious when it comes to other people's cars. Part of me believes it's just him still being skeptical about Cole.

The strong scent of coffee beans envelops me as soon as I step in. It's a small, quaint place. Polished wooden floors, soft furniture, brick walls, and lots of potted plants. Quiet jazz music is playing in the background, muffled by the noises of people typing on keyboards and the occasional hissing of milk being steamed.

"Mel!" Cole calls from the back.

Mr. Carter takes a seat a couple tables away, within view of the front door. I appreciate that he always tries to be as unobtrusive as possible when we're out in public. I really don't want any unnecessary attention to be drawn towards me. It's very hard to blend in when you're being followed by a muscular 6'7" man who's constantly analyzing his surroundings and carrying a concealed weapon.

"Hey," I greet him and take off my coat. It's quickly becoming too warm, especially because Cole chose a table right next to the large stone fireplace. 

Cole's smiling, but I can still clearly see the concern and worry in his eyes. "How have you been?"

"I'm alright." I don't have much more to say about it. I've always prided myself on being able to bounce back quickly without help. Why would I want to share my private, intimate thoughts when everything works out fine on my own? They're private for a reason.

He doesn't look completely convinced but fortunately decides to drop it. "Sorry for calling, I know it's a little weird. I pretty much never call anyone. I just have a meeting later and didn't really have time to wait for you to see my text."

I'm not a huge fan of talking on the phone either. If it can be handled over an email or text, don't call me. 

"What's it for?"

"Oh just a board meeting with my fraternity," he explains. "I'm Kappa Sigma's vice president."

Though my knowledge of Greek life is limited to what I've seen in movies and the stories Alyssa has told me, Cole definitely fits my schema of a frat boy. Never in a million years did I think I'd end up becoming friends with one. Although, after getting to know Cole, my expectation of what they're like may have been wrong.